Harrogate Convention Centre has been named Venue of the Year (Less than 20,000sqm) at the AEO Excellence Awards.
The award comes as the North Yorkshire venue progresses a £9.4m programme of improvements, including the redevelopment of Studio 2 into a flexible breakout and conference space due to open next year.
The AEO judges praised the venue’s focus on accessibility, sustainability and hospitality, as well as its team culture and commitment to improving its offer.
The latest recognition follows Harrogate Convention Centre’s success at the Event Technology Awards in November 2025, where it was named Most Innovative and High-Tech Venue.
The venue said the investment programme is designed to strengthen its appeal to conference and exhibition organisers looking for a large-scale venue outside London.
Jamila Bray, head of venue sales and marketing at Harrogate Convention Centre, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the strength of our team and the relationships we’ve built with organisers across the industry.
“Winning Venue of the Year at the AEO Excellence Awards – our second industry award in 12 months – reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional events and continually upgrading our offer. With significant investment underway, including the Studio 2 breakout facilities, it is an incredibly exciting time for Harrogate Convention Centre, and we’re looking forward to building on this momentum with our clients and partners.”
